JRC was started by Rod and Catherine Jameson, originally as a winter program. Rod and Catherine moved to this site in 1942 and started out with no electricity or phone operating a year-round program for boys only. By 1956 the program had become summer camp with boys and girls.
The purpose of the ranch has always been to provide children with a valuable experience. Early programming involved work projects, such as the swimming pool, the ranch house, and the lake. Campers and staff helped build JRC, creating a connection to the ranch, as well as their own accomplishments. Though "work crew" is no longer the main focus of our activities, each person at JRC contributes to the day-to-day operations of the ranch. This tradition connects campers and staff to JRC, to a community, and a sense of belonging.
We still ride western, teaching campers the style of riding exhibited by Rod "Mr. J." We play "trackers" an elaborate game of team hide and seek, invented by early campers and staff. Grown-up campers are now sending their children and grandchildren to camp. They love to swap stories about how things have changed, while others remain the same at JRC.
Roderick Jameson was born in Woody to Frank and Christine Jameson. He graduated from Kern County High School in 1929 and UC Berkley in 1939 with a secondary teaching credential. He taught English at East Bakersfield High School until 1946. In 1934 Rod and his sister, Virginia, started a winter camp for boys. Camp was initially located in the Tejon Canyon and later moved to Greenhorn summit. It was there he met Catherine Fowler, who was head of the Kern County Camp Fire Girls and also ran a camp on Greenhorn.
Catherine Ellen Fowler Jameson was born February 15, 1914 in San Pedro and was raised in San Diego. Catherine graduated from San Diego State College and became involved in Camp Fire Girls in Spokane, Washington. She was an executive director of that organization, moving to Kern County in 1939. She and Rod were married in 1940, and both worked to run JRC. They moved the camp program to the ranch in 1942, permanently moving to the property in 1946. Electricity was to come three years after their arrival and phone service over a decade later.
Rod and Catherine's camp was built on their 500 acre ranch and campers often learned the meaning of work doing construction projects or ranch jobs. Even the blocks used for all the major buildings were made by hand on the ranch. Initially camp was for boys during the winter and a summer program for both boys and girls. A small one-bath, two-bedroom house was the camp headquarters. Campers also enjoyed the conventional camping activities like horse-back riding, over-night hikes, swimming and, in later years, water activities at a lake that Rod built.
Rod is remembered for his drive to succeed, strict tireless teaching and the ability to think outside the box. He taught by word and action his belief that you get out of life what you put into it. His accordion music was a bed time lullaby not easily forgotten.
Rod and Catherine were happily married for 64 years. Catherine directed camp, raised their three children Connor, Marla, and Ross (as well as numerous children of others), while freezing corn, canning tomatoes, tending the garden, and assisting with many ranch projects. Each of their children grew up within camp, and many former campers have wonderful stories about their times with Connor, Marla and Ross.
Connor and wife Judy live in Tulare, CA. They are both veterinarians, though Connor retired in 2010. He travels internationally as a software consultant. Their oldest son, Ian, married long-time camper Lindsey Mahoney, and the couple lives in Ketchum, Idaho. Ian runs an investment advisory firm, and Lindsey is a therapeutic horseback riding instructor. Trent, Connor and Judy's youngest, is co-founder of Ajax Adventure Camp, a day program, in Aspen, CO. He and former camper, Danny Hundert, are in their third year of operations. Trent splits his time between Colorado, Idaho, and California. JRC's "Trenting" program is named in honor of him.
Marla lives in Visalia, CA with husband Ed. She was a school teacher for many years, teaching eighth grade English. She retired from teaching, and became an area representative for the California Teachers' Association, becoming very well known for her sharp negotiation skills. Ed is a retired electrician. They have three children, Mitch, Doug, and Jill. Mitch works as a correctional officer in Northern California. Doug is a pharmaceutical representative in the Los Angeles Area. Jill lives with her family in Western Australia. She and husband, Peter Nelson, design water shows for theme parks.
Ross and Debby continue to live and work on the ranch. They are enjoying "semi-retirement," though Ross runs Work Crew, drives the backhoe, and sings at camp daily, while Debby snaps magical moments with her camera and is irreplaceable in the Health Room. They are very involved within their local church; Ross helps plan the annual "Christmas Dessert," performing and managing the show annually. Debby is involved with church activities, and also sings in the Bakersfield Masterworks Chorale, bringing culture and style to the Bakersfield area. Their children Erica, Mia, Jeremy, Michael, and Arianna after being raised on the ranch have each embarked upon a unique life path.
The current owner and director of JRC, Erica, has a MA in History from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Single Subject Teaching Credential from Pt. Loma. She spent ten years in public education as an eleventh grade teacher prior to taking over camp. She and daughter Palie live at camp during the summer and on the central coast during the year.
Mia is married to David Rudd, and resides on the ranch. Their new house was completed in January 2013, and their two daughters, Emili and Tashya, as well as dog Ally, are enjoying the new spaciousness. Mia is a woman of many talents; she is a cake decorator, masseuse, doula, and photographer. David is a wonderful ranch manager, and can fix anything.